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NAMI Southern Arizona's Training Programs

The overall goals for NAMI Southern Arizona’s training programs are to ensure that membersof the community who are interested in a career in the mental health field are given ample opportunities to achievetheir individual goals. These programs allow NAMI Southern Arizona to educate, advocate, support and implement NAMI’s mission to improve the quality of life for all those affected by mental illness. We currently have three signature trainings,Peer Mentor training, Peer Support Specialist Training and Documentation Training.

PEER MENTOR TRAININGUpon successful completion of our 10-class Peer-to-Peer education course, participants have the opportunity to apply for our three-day Peer Mentor training. This training demonstrates how to co-facilitate a Peer-to-Peer class as a mentor, allowing participants to come full circle and view the Peer-to-Peer class from multiple perspectives. This is the second phase required toward becoming a certified Peer Support Specialist.

PEER SPECIALIST TRAININGAfter completing the Peer Mentor training participants have the option to become certified as Peer Support Specialist. This training prepares participants to be better equipped to acquire a job in the behavioral health field. This training lasts for three full days. To become state certified, participants will complete 68 clock hours of cumulative training, which includes completion of the Peer-to-Peer class; Peer Mentor training; and Peer Support Specialist training. Upon completion of all three training opportunities, participants receive a state certified identification number provided by Cenpatico Integrated Care.

DOCUMENTATION TRAININGIn addition, NAMI Southern Arizona also offers a one-day documentation training which teaches people the skills needed to perform clinical documentation in the behavioral health field. Participants learn to document using the Description, Assessment and Plan (DAP) format, a method commonly used in a behavioral health setting. DAP notes are used to properly demonstrate that a person is making progress toward the goals established in their treatment plan. At the conclusion of the group training, participants receive a certificate that signifies that they have successfully completed eight hours of documentation training. Following this group training, individuals are given the option of doing one-on-one trainings with one of our training specialists. After attending the group training and completing at least three 1 to 1.5 hour individual sessions they can then become credentialed to document for Peer-to-Peer classes as a Behavioral Health Para-Professional.